As regular listeners to Emsolation will already know, Em Rusciano is a writer, a singer, a stand up comedian, a maximalist power Queen, a neurodivergent magic brain and a podcaster, but AS IF she's resting there. She's also in the throes of perimenopause, so why wouldn't she just add creating the ultimate perimenopause survival guide podcast series into the mix? 'Rage Against the Vagine' is that survival guide and we thought we'd share the introduction to it with all our Emsolators, just so you know what it is all about and can share it with everyone and anyone. Here's your explain on how it works:
Before we dive headfirst into the chaos of perimenopause, patriarchy and medical gaslighting, this prologue is your 101 guide to Rage Against the Vagine - the six-part podcast series from Em Rusciano that’s here to help you feel less alone and a lot more informed.
Think of this episode as your pre-game warm-up: what the podcast’s about, why we made it, and how it might just give you the language, clarity and validation you’ve been missing.
This isn’t medical advice,  but it is a fierce, funny, and honest look at what so many of us are going through.
Episode 1, You Are Not (F*cking) Alone, is already out for you to listen to, with new episodes every Monday through August and September.

Rage Against the Vagine is proudly brought to you by Wotif — it’s Aussie for travel.

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For decades, Aussie film lovers, especially Em and Michael, devoured David Stratton’s work reviewing movies with Margaret Pomeranz on SBS and the ABC, so we start this episode remembering David’s work. Michael also reveals for the very first time, what it was like to be the subject of one of their reviews with his debut film, ‘Not Suitable for Children’ starring Sarah Snook and Ryan Kwanten.

Then Em reveals she had just finished a harrowing interview about her book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’ with Osher Gunsberg, who she first met on the set of ‘Australian Idol’ which ushers in a flood of flashbacks.

We also get Em’s spoiler free review of the new Tom Hiddleston and Mark Hamill film ‘The Life of Chuck’ PLUS she reveals her Ballroom Sessions are returning for one night only. This time with a VERY special guest, in a much bigger venue and on a Saturday night as well.

Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Michael’s done the full Taylor Swift New Heights podcast so you don’t have to, Em has thoughts on Kylie’s Showgirls themed post, plus Michael reveals he hung out with ‘Wednesday’ creator Tim Burton. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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This ep is chockers with glorious things for your ears (and your eyes if you’re an Extra Extra subscriber). We begin by welcoming Michael back from his break, there’s a new backdrop for him to notice, plus an update on Em’s upcoming book ‘Blood, Sweat and Glitter’.

Em’s been feeling the rage and frantic calls to her hormone doctor were made, then it’s onto Michael’s night at the Logies, from a fit check on his outfit, to the chaos of the ceremony and the after party too. Taylor Swift has taken to her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast ‘New Heights’ to announce a new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’, so there’s much to discuss, with added commentary from our in-house Swiftie, video guy James.

Em also offers up a visual explainer of everything she is holding back right now. Michael also offers up his review of Julia Garner and Josh Brolin’s new horror movie ‘Weapons’.

Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael react to J’Lo’s concert bug incident and Victoria Beckham’s holiday photo dump, plus Em’s daughters Marchella and Odette step in to argue that ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ isn’t the shittest show on TV.

You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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Em is coming in solo and upping the sexy dressing ahead of Michael’s return, the visuals really MUST be seen. Em’s started promoting her upcoming book ‘Blood, Sweat & Glitter’, hence the giant promotional book cover backdrop Em is sitting in front of while filming this ep, its peak Barbra Streisand.

Then it's onto the anonymous cry for help from an Emsolator whose weekend in a 5 star hotel in Sydney saw her being humiliated and shamed by the hotel, after she experienced an explosive peri-menopause period whilst asleep in her hotel bed, safe to say Em has a LOT to say.

Finally it's all things Jesus Christ Superstar after the rock opera was performed by Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert at the Hollywood Bowl over the weekend. Emsolator Mia was there to give us a full rundown, plus our own version of Jesus, Michael Paynter, has dropped a video of his ‘Gethsemane’ performance too.

Also in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, we get a FULL F1 update and things get saucy as Em offers up Em-vestigations of social media wangs from GardenwithJonny, Lewis Hamilton and Jon Hamm.

You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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Apparently sex sells, or at least Michael’s gutters are appealing enough to help the pod secure more subscribers. So look out, as Em and Michael ask you to suggest sexy attire for them to wear in an upcoming episode.

Then inspired by Michael’s gutter reveal, it’s onto the celebs revealing they are secretly fit during the week, like Sam Reid’s latest pic as ‘Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat’ for Season 3 of ‘Interview with the Vampire’ and the Men's Fitness cover reveal of Sasha Baron Cohen’s glow-up for Marvel’s ‘Ironheart’.

Then Em reveals everything that happened when she went to the pub with her daughters and their friends for the reveal of Triple J’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, including her favourite moment EVER with The Veronicas.

We also get side quests into Em taking to her extensions with vintage tin cutters, New Zealand’s view of Australia, Justin Trudeau and Katy Perry having dinner, Barbra Streisand dating Justin’s dad, plus Destiny’s Child reforming at Beyonce’s concert.

Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em offers commentary on the World Massage Championships, plus there’s an Elio update, a ‘Big Boys’ TV series review and hot hunks house cleaning chat too.

You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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DO NOT Listen To This Episode with Children Present! But if you just pressed play and ignored the title and this description, it’s officially your fault mmmkay. Within this episode Em (fresh from cutting her own fringe) and Michael (freshly shaved whilst also rocking a gutter revealing crop top) will be discussing a new game Em stumbled on, that apparently happened at an alternative lifestyle festival in the UK called Swingathon. The three-day event featured pole dancing, foam parties, hot tubs, mobile dungeons, and a game called b*tt-plug bingo. There’s also a new biography coming out about Gwyneth Paltrow which apparently reveals Gwyneth’s favourite Ben Affleck bedroom activity. Plus J’Lo has been accused of being a softcore p*rn artist by journalist Megyn Kelly after footage of her Spanish concert appeared online. Em and Michael will watch the video in question and decide if it’s truly worth clutching pearls over or not. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Michael’s read Em’s full ‘Blood, Sweat & Glitter’ manuscript and has a complete spoiler-free review prepared, plus he’s written the foreword for the book which also needs to be discussed. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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After a fit check to start the show Michael reveals he got his first grey chest hair, this ushers in Em’s admission that she’s getting grey eyebrow hairs. Turns out the 90’s obsession with thin eyebrows and her noughties work around of microblading has delivered an annoying outcome, plus we compare and contrast Em and Michael’s beauty routines as well. There’s an update on Em’s book, then it’s onto the new Netflix game show ‘All The Sharks’ and the UK team that has piqued Em’s interest, Sarah and Dan of the aptly named ‘The Great British Bait Off’. After a deep dive on that, Em and Michael compare and contrast their differing reactions to the new Lena Dunham series ‘Too Much’, with a side quest into Em’s admission that she is actually LOVING the new season of ‘And Just Like That’. Then in our Sealed Section on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em gets Michael to give us his full review of the new ‘Superman’ movie, plus they discuss Elon Musk’s political party & MAGA’s meltdown over the Epstein files. You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of both episodes back to back via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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Today Em sits down to chat with Aussie singer, songwriter, producer, performer, gamer, activist and former Eurovision contestant, Montaigne, aka Jessica Cerro about their first independent album ‘It’s Hard to Be a Fish’.

It’s being described as a strange, tender epic - a record about family, survival, disconnection and the slow work of becoming whole. Em described it as looking directly into the sun and one of the most beautiful things she has ever heard.

Together they discuss how the new album successfully brings together the trio of dealing with the mother wound, late-stage capitalism, and environmental catastrophe through the lens of pop music. Covering everything from the impact of intergenerational trauma, particularly from her Filipino heritage, and her decision to go no-contact with her mother, through to microdosing mushrooms, being an independent artist in today’s music industry, their Eurovision experience and so much more.

Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service, Emsolation Extra, Michael comes bearing gifts for Em, they discuss the new ‘Superman’ movie and Michael’s deep love of the franchise, his mum visiting the set of his partner Adrian's new movie and the Mushroom trial.

You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of it via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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It’s the Netflix movie that’s taken over Em’s entire personality and you better believe we are gonna be talking about it A LOT - ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’. Michael’s seen it and is ready to give his feedback too.

Then after a full ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ gush, it’s onto Elio’s recent betrayal during a visit to the park and how it also inspired Em’s campaign against whoever created the centre seam on leggings. Plus Michael is keen to discuss the end of times that was the wedding between Amazon owner Jeff Bezos and media personality and astronaut Lauren Sanchez.

The gross display of excessive wealth reportedly cost over 50 million dollars and saw over 90 private jets flying into Venice with guests like Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Oprah and the Kardashians turning up for it too.

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It's an Emsolation episode for the ages! Em and Michael are back in the studio and we're talking all things Rom-Coms with a deep dive (and some spoilers!) into Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans' new movie, ‘Materialists’. What happens when Em, Michael, his husband Adrian, and his mum Jo, rock up to a screening of the 2025 edition of a rom-com?

You’re about to find out as Em and Michael give you their full review, plus Em reveals why one scene in particular absolutely sent her, so much so that she posted about it on her socials. Plus, Em's shocking dental saga is about to come to a glorious conclusion, and we look at who has and hasn’t been nominated for this year's Logies, including our very own Michael.

Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em’s been watching Season 2 of ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ and Michael’s husband Adrian has started filming his first feature film, a horror movie called ‘Leviticus’.

You can get access and listen to all of that and MORE for just $1.87 a week, or watch the full video of it via the Supercast website for $2.50 a week at emsolation.supercast.com

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